REVEALED: NINE top upgrades for the Porsche 986 Boxster!

[@KevinSmooove]

I've had a 986 Boxster for over 13 years now and really the best things to do to get the most power out of them to redo the exhaust and intake and then slap tune - the combination of both really improve the car's performance. The diameter of the entire stock exhaust piping on these things are so pitifully small (deliberate on Porsche's behalf to keep the better balanced chassis of the Boxster/Cayman from ever possibly going toe to toe with their star child 911) The USA models have 4 catalysts and taking out the secondary 2 catalysts and replacing them with wider diameter piping makes for increased exhaust flow and more power and it will not trigger any emission codes because the secondaries are not hooked up to any o2 sensors - they're mainly for filtering the exhaust emissions just on cold start anyway. The other heinously restrictive part are the stock exhaust manifolds. That is actually where the majority of power is being held back. Getting a quality aftermarket header and welding a catalytic converter to it right after (or bypassing it all together) frees up so much restriction it is truly unbelievable. Soul Performance and Fabspeed actually make great full exhaust setups for these cars, but they're insanely expensive and one could have reputable exhaust shop fabricate the the parts for way less - except maybe the headers (although IMO Fabspeed's design has poorly fabricated merge collectors on their headers). The one other real performance enhancing mod would be the addition of an IPD intake plenum coupled with their larger diameter throttlebody (or a TB out of a 997). This obviously increases more airflow to the engine. Cone style cold air intakes don't really do anything on these cars. The airbox is already optimized to draw in a cold charge of air, but dropping in a higher flowing air filter will definitely help. BMC and AEM are my go-to filters, but K&N's are fine too. I've also heard of some people installing the larger airbox off of a 987 which would again, add more airflow to the engine(common theme with the car). Getting a solid tune with both mods makes the DME computer recognize and utilize the increased air/exhaust flow and that's when everything sort of "synergizes" together and these cars really do get more lively.

[@mwong987]

Hi Kevin, first of all, thanks for the info -- i just bought a 986 with the 2.5L engine ( 84,000 miles on it ).

[@Adam_Clegg]

If Fabspeed is not all that great what would you recommend?

[@ernie3537]

​@@mwong987nice man just got one with the same miles, have you started modding it ?

[@ernie3537]

💯 thank you sir

[@MrDontask007]

how much power did you free up?

[@FBI-eo9yx]

I've owned 2 Boxster one with stock suspension and one with the Eibach lowering springs and Bilstein shocks. I loved the aftermarket suspension, handling was great and gave it a nice look, but I didn't love the scraping and no adjustability. I highly suggest saving up for some decent coil overs or stay stock

[@maxcarter970]

The Boxster suspension is so well tuned from the factory I wouldn’t be changing spring or damper rates.

[@MattiusMaximus]

It’s done to a cost, I can be improved, especially if you have other upgrades. I have KW Variant 3 coil overs set up to 996 GT3 specs, but equally I have full GT3 conversion around this (so full hub and brake conversion, brake ducts etc). My Boxster also runs a lot more power than standard and an LSD to put down that power, so I definitely want suitable suspension because that standard units wouldn’t be sufficient. For standard cars there’s also a big difference between oem spec, and oem suspension. Anybody running the original suspension on their Boxster should be prioritising replacing it, even if it’s like for like with oem just due to age. These are old cars now and running 20 year old suspension that’s never been replaced or refurbished will be noticeable.

[@PNoblesGarage]

I concur, save the money and put it towards a 911 Gt car for the track…

[@jadmann]

The window regulators have absolutely nothing to do with performance.

[@jadmann]

Don recommend steel, I recommend ceramic for the roof.

[@jadmann]

Boxster is a money suck. Porsche designed the Boxster to save the company but also wanted to protect its future survivability by flooding the market with upgrades and replacement OEM. Again, money suck. Just the name Porsche commands an add-on TAX of 15-25%!

[@poormansporsche744]

I was under the assumption that the push rod ends should be plastic and we’re engineered to be a “weak point” to break the $10 push rod ends rather than kill the top motor if you have a metal one in. Someone correct me if that’s false but that’s what I’ve always been told

[@stanislavdavyda728]

The pushrod should be kept the OEM plastic. It acts as a fail safe. It’s designed to break in order to protect the motors from over working and burning themselves out.

[@live1053]

if the pushrod breaks, as designed, the roof can be operated manually contrary to what's stated in the video.

[@Schnorbitz]

Isn’t that a fuse’s job?

[@jigglerish]

You should look at superpro poly bushes. They have all the positive of harder bushes but very little nvh and maintenance required over time. They are pricy to change though and depending who you speak to, much better quality over the powerflex items

[@Kev_Bayliss]

I have a 986 in Yellow - 2003 model with only 18K miles on. It looks exactly like the one on your thumbnail. I've had 4 986 Boxsters (one when released!) and 2 987 models, but I still prefer and love my 986! Great video! Haven't needed to sort the IMF yet.

[@NileQuant]

The only small issue I see is B6 Bilstein Shocks is for stock ride height and B8 Bilstein Shocks is for lowering springs. B6 is suggested in the video with the lowering springs which will lead to premature failure.

[@RzogL]

Well, I have a 986.1 S manual. It's not exactly standard... The previous owner gave it a GAHH hood with a heated glass window, 18" Turbo II replica wheels, and an air induction upgrade (conical air filter, 74mm throttle body, IPD plenum, and a remap). I added Zunsport mesh grilles, Goodridge braided brake hoses, FunctionFirst Shift-Right shifter yoke and bearings, did the ceramic IMS bearing upgrade and completely refreshed the suspension, opting for Koni SA dampers and Eibach 2-way adjustable ARBs, on OEM bushes. I also installed a Continental head unit and I always run Michelin PS tires (they're due for replacement soon. Can't wait to try the new PS5s!). I don't know if the Dansk sausage would drone or not, so personally I think I might go for a switchable muffler bypass instead (I am rather jealous of the sound a mate's 987.1 S makes). And who knows, if I can afford it and they're still in business, when the time comes for an engine rebuild I dream of doing the Hartech 3.7 litre upgrade. But that's probably a decade into the future...

[@dylanbiggelaar2430]

I have the Spyder performance valves on mine.

[@SpencerF6]

Having bought my first Porsche last Friday....this is great timing. It's a first gen 3.2, loving it so far but it is far too quiet!

[@9WERKSTV]

Fantastic, you've many fun miles ahead I am sure!

[@eblevinda]

I've had my boxster for 8 years now, some simple mods will improve the sound no end, fit a performance air filter, I have an K&N filter, do the de-snorkle (google it), those two alone will make the car sound better, when ready get a exhaust by-pass mod done (again google it) - that is the best best sound mod for the 986, finally you can fit stainless steel exhaust manifolds. I've also fitted a modified air intake with a with a 911 C4 throttle body and plenum, anyway, this is what it sounds like for comparison - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqG9lJWMdqmYna8

[@SpencerF6]

@@eblevindaI appreciate the tips! I've desnorkelled it on Saturday but couldn't really hear much of a difference if any. The exhaust is the next mod I thought of and had a replacement backbox in mind. I may go down the bypass route as you suggested instead. 👍

[@yammy1000]

987/997 seats. One of the best mods you can do for your own sake.

[@mrradman2986]

Interesting. I have a 2004 low mileage 3.2S which I have owned for around 18 years. To be honest in real world conditions the car doesn't really lack performance as is and the limitation on progress is due to constantly catching up with queues of other vehicles. Maybe if you want to use it on a track but I prefer to drive it on interesting roads. The one upgrade I have done is replace the IMS bearing as listening for the sound of the engine starting to grenade when you use the full rev range (as you should) somewhat detracted from the enjoyment.

[@David-dt2md]

Love these videos. Being from the states I'd love to have the links handy to the US site as well. But I can find the parts easy enough so no worries, and thanks for the video 🙂

[@sambaresi67]

Just what i wanted to watch! Fantastic advice and a great watch. Thanks Lee

[@9WERKSTV]

My pleasure, thanks Sam.

[@disturbingkreationz]

Great video. I have a few Porsches and this is all good info.

[@soulside]

In the market for a 986. Thanks for the content!

[@9WERKSTV]

My pleasure!

[@milchomarkov8158]

underdrive pulley, 987 airbox, custom air pipes leading to a 996 throttle, and a custom map. the only good thing about that dansk sausage is the weight. fvd export muffler is great.

[@kingofthewestmidlands4049]

Stripout for weight reduction??? Like we are going to compete in some form of Motorsport

[@Carrera-gp9od]

How about doing one for the 987.2 boxster ? The mrs boxster could do with pepping up in the sound department

[@9WERKSTV]

Very happy to look at that!

[@Carrera-gp9od]

Cheers mate 😂

[@nicktaylor5273]

Hopefully will be getting a Boxster S or 996 c2 but will be an automatic. Keep coming with the advice please 👍

[@9WERKSTV]

Cheers Nick, nice choice for you to have.

[@InvokedAlbaz]

Which years are the ones without the IMS issue?

[@akihori]

986-996 and even the 987 caymans/boxsters all have that ims issue

[@BeauJohnson247]

@@akihori Not true, Pre 2000 Built cars had the double row IMS bearing and were under a 1% failure rate... Mid 2000 they moved to the small single row bearing that had the 8% chance

[@akihori]

@@BeauJohnson247 even though it did have the dual IMS there was still a chance of failure, yes very low but indeed still a chance of failure. Also need to clarify my previous response that the 987.2 caymans/boxsters from 2009 and later never had IMS bearings so the problem is completely out of the question for those models

[@BeauJohnson247]

@@akihori well you are wrong again, ever porsche in history has an IMS bearing, but they have a standard thrust bearing not a ball bearing type bearing… stop trying to be a bad news bear… everything can fail, essentially the pre 2000 cars are such a rare failure it’s not worth talking about, being worried about pre 2000 cars is like worrying about being struck by lightning, sure it happens, but I’m not walking around looking at the sky…

[@akihori]

@@BeauJohnson247 good to know and well im not trying to be a “bad news bear” lmao 🤣 just stating that the pre 2000s cars still were somewhat affected but i get what your trying to say im just piecing things from when i ised to own a 986S a long time ago mixed with fb group answers but guess we were all wrong

[@TheYjmfan]

Do you think these upgrades are cost affective with the abysmal prices of Boxsters at the moment, I used to own a 911 SC some years ago I much prefer the Boxster to drive but as far as recouping your money back I wished I’d had kept the 911.

[@MattiusMaximus]

Probably not, I mean classic sports cars go up in value after a while, but most aren’t doing crazy growth like classic 911’s. My 986 has about £40k worth of mods and I don’t expect that money to ever be seen again, but I also have a very special Boxster, using many GT3 parts, which can keep up with 996 GT3’s on track but for a lot less money. Most importantly I love how custom it is. Spend the money if your car is a keeper, but if you don’t want to spend the money then your car isn’t a keeper. Maybe, as good as your Boxster is, it may be time for you to get something different.

[@dardog7734]

How much was the middle cat ?

[@QuarterSwingGolf]

I just got my first Porsche

[@moviebod]

Very interesting. I have subscribed and I couldn't agree more about tyres (and brakes). I have fitted my 2.7 986 with Toyo Proxes Sport. 255 on the back as I have the wider wheels, and 205 on the front. All four tyres cost £335 delivered two years ago, although I had to get them fitted locally. They are fantastic.

[@uniwerksdesign]

Like.